Alcoholic violence and degradation is the price Australians have chosen to pay for this abusive form of self indulgence.

However, mandatory detention seems like an improbable solution to such an intractable problem, but what's the alternative to non-compliance: national service, community service, social ostracism or purpose-built sanatorium facilities, to remove the worst offenders and free up hospital beds for real emergencies?

Who are the 'we' in 'we all agree we have an alcohol problem in this country'? I am not one of the we nor are most of the people I know. The so called 'alcohol problem' is yet another fear based campaign by people who like to call themselves health professionals to help maintain their excessively tax payer funded organisations. Huge amounts of money are wasted in this country on preventative health campaigns despite a lack of evidence that they have any effect at all.

At least when they were called the Independent Order of Rechabites, we knew who the wowsers were. They've changed their image these days but the message is still the same. Stop enjoying yourself; don sack cloth and ashes; and bow down before the god of wholesomeness. St Paul, were he still alive, would love it all.

I too disagree with the statement that we have a problem with alcohol. I can't remember the last time I saw a drunk person in public.
The fact that so many Australians drink more than the "National guidelines for consumption of Alcohol" is perhaps a reflection of the inappropriate lowness of the recommendation rather than a sign of rampant alcoholism in the community.
As far as the cost of treating alcohol induced illness goes, society bears the cost of treating all potentially avoidable illnesses. It doesn't give society the right to force people to be healthier.
Obesity is the biggest cause of preventable illness at the moment. Should we force all the fatties into fat farms? What about sporting injuries? Do we as a nation have a problem with sports? Should we ban all sports?
There is nothing wrong with encouraging a culture of sensible drinking, but forcing alcoholics into rehab is unlikely to help.

Improve mentality & alcoholism will take a step back.

Oh yes, I can just see it now, hotel staff allowed to serve each individual only the recommended amount of alcohol each visit, maybe have a breath analyser test first in case they've had a drink elsewhere? how many pubs would close, how many jobs lost? driving more folk to despair ( and alcoholism, or will there be electronic police in the home too?)
I don't see office staff gathering outside buildings having a quick grog in their teabreak, or shuffling at bus stops swigging on a stubby. As in most instances self moderation works for the majority of people imo, as for others who may have a problem, they should be helped individually and with regard to their circumstances, mandatory detention sounds a tad draconian to me

This author falls into a trap of contrivance, a tool used by the alcohol industry to perpetuate the myth that to be a little “Pissy” is acceptable, but only “Bad” people are drunks; evidenced in comments above!

I'm sorry folks, but I have to strongly agree with Rafaele. We do have a real problem. Unfortunately the stable door has been opened and the horse has well and truly bolted.

A couple of years ago, I had occasion to spend many days attending the court in Moe, Victoria. Not the most prosperous town and probably has a higher than average consumption of alcohol. There were many domestic violence cases, all related to the abuse of alcohol and/or drugs.

I would suggest that those who deny there is a problem, should take themselves into their nearest city nightclub district in the early hours of a weekend morning. There you will find a plethora of drunks of both sexes out in the public places.

I rest my case.

David

most of the comments are coming from people who have never been to casualty hospital department or even a morgue on Friday and Saturday nights. Not until a drunk kills their kid will they have enough sense to arise from their denial. Having had blood splattered over my front door from drunks its not a pretty sight. As long as many of our sporting 'heroes ' act like pigs and continue to get away with it we have no hope of a cure.

Liquor advertising should be banned as more lives are ruined by it than by tobacco, and how we have come down heavy on the latter! Heavy taxes just like tobacco should go toward training more medical people to deal with the problems alcohol causes. More education including having reformed alcoholics visit schools to tell of the hell they went through. Video of lives damaged permanently by alcohol/drugs. Billing people for police time wasted and hospital time wasted on victims of binge drinking. Don't allow alcoholics to get a liver transplant ahead of other people who did not self-inflict.
Furthermore drink driving penalties are way too soft. Should have mandatory loss of license for a year.
Close pubs and clubs at 10 like it used to be.